He dared not think.
He dared not think anymore.
Laughter erupted in the room again, louder than before.
Adelaide was probably saying something witty, Selina agreeing, Sofia pretending to be angry, and Mother laughing, smoothing things over.
Flora didn't speak, but he could imagine her, head down, face flushed, a smile at the corner of her mouth, pretending to be angry yet unable to hide her happiness.
The Marquis of Hastings gripped the door handle tightly.
He couldn't open this door.
Couldn't.
Just let them laugh, let the laughter last a little longer. Let him stand a while longer, listen a while more, more...
Squeak.
The door opened.
Arthur stood at the doorway.
He held a pipe in his hand, as if he was about to come out.
He saw the dust-covered Marquis of Hastings, slightly startled, but only for a moment.
Then, he asked nothing, instead he shifted slightly and pointed to the door at the end of the corridor.
"Smoking room?" he said.
